Where, and when, did the Whig party hold its first national convention?
December 4, 1836 — For the first time in its history, the Whig party held a national convention today to determine its presidential candidate.
The meetings opened in Harrisburg, PA. It was almost a full year before the general election, and the three leading candidates were war hero William Henry Harrison (who was also the most successful of Martin Van Buren’s opponents in the 1836 election); War of 1812 hero General Winfield Scott (who had been active in skirmishes with the British in 1837 and 1838); and former Speaker of the House Henry Clay (the Whigs’ congressional leader).
The nomination went to Harrison with 148 votes. Clay got 90; Scott received 16.
He was the 9th president for only a month, however — from March 4, 1841 to his death on April 4, 1841. John Tyler, his vice president, became the 10th president, (1841–1845).
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Words of Wisdom
Wealth can only be accumulated by the earnings of industry and the savings of frugality.
